Pongal smog in Chennai; flights diverted to city

As many as 19 worldwide and domestic flights were delayed on Friday at the Chennai airport after visibility dropped because of smoke in the region, PTI reported. An Air India flight from Sharjah-Trivandrum-Chennai was diverted to Bengaluru, and Oman Air's Muscat-Chennai flight was diverted to Hyderabad, The New Indian Express reported.

The Air India's flight from Sharjah-Trivandrum-Chennai too was diverted to Bangalore. It was to arrive here at 7.10 AM.

The Spicejet flight from Hyderabad-Chennai was diverted to Bangalore. The flight from Kualu Lumpur to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad.

In all, at least seven flights including worldwide flights were diverted and more than 10 arrivals and 20 departures were delayed. Flights from Colombo were also diverted, airport sources said.